Machine for the continuous treatment of fabric

ABSTRACT

The machine comprises an inlet basin ( 1 ) for the fabric (T); an outlet basin ( 3 ) for the fabric; between the inlet basin and the outlet basin a fabric treatment path with pneumatic transportation with alternate motion of the fabric. The treatment path comprises at least two side by side conduits ( 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 ), between which at least one intermediate basin ( 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 ) is positioned for collecting the fabric.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for the continuous treatment of a fabric, with particular interest in, but not limited to, the treatment of fabric in rope form. The treatments are generally finishing treatments, either with dry methods or wet processes, for example washing and drying treatments.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a machine of the type including an inlet basin for the fabric where the fabric is introduced gradually, an outlet basin, from where the fabric is gradually withdrawn and—between the inlet basin and the outlet basin—a path along which the fabric is transported from the inlet basin to the outlet basin and vice versa alternatively.

STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Currently, there are machines available for treating fabrics, in particular open width fabrics, where a single conduit of pneumatic transport connects the inlet basin to the outlet basin, with means for causing an alternating movement of the fabric from one basin to another. These machines are not designed for treatment of fabrics in rope form. Furthermore, when a more effective treatment of the fabric is desired, it is necessary to use various different machines or units in series, with the consequent elevated overall volume.

[0004] A machine of this type is described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,333.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a machine that enables a more efficient treatment of the fabric, in particular (but not exclusively) of fabric in rope form. More specifically, the object of the invention is the realization of a machine in which the fabric transits with a globally continuous movement, in order to be submitted to a plurality of treatments, namely, to undergo repeated mechanical treatments.

[0006] These and other objects and advantages, which will become clear to the persons skilled in the art from reading the ensuing text, are achieved with a machine wherein along the treatment path are arranged at least two side-by-side conduits, between which at least one elongated intermediate collection basin is positioned that develops between a first end of a first one of said at least two side-by-side conduits and the opposite end of the adjacent conduit. The fabric exiting from the first end of the first conduit is dumped into the intermediate basin and is withdrawn from this and conveyed to the opposite end of the second conduit. Therefore, it becomes possible, in a reduced space, to move the fabric along a complex path between the inlet basin and the outlet basin, submitting it to a repeated mechanical action, by arranging an impact surface in front of each end of each conduit, for instance, in the form of a grid or the like, against which the pneumatically conveyed fabric is pushed.

[0007] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the intermediate basin, the inlet basin and the outlet basin oscillate about a transversal axis or more generically, on a nearly vertical plane. In this way, the sliding movement of the fabric is facilitated inside the basin from one end to the other. The conduits can be either oscillating integral with the basins or they may be stationary.

[0008] Advantageously, it can be envisaged that each basin (possibly excluding the inlet basin and the outlet basin) has an elongated shape, in particularly with a slightly depressed central area and two inclined lateral areas in correspondence to which the ends of the conduits of pneumatic transportation of the fabric are positioned. The fabric that is flung from one of the ends of a conduit then falls into the underlying basin, which is inclined to facilitate the sliding movement of the fabric towards the end opposite to the one where the fabric is unloaded into the basin.

[0009] As a matter of principle, the machine can be realized for treating fabrics in width, but according to a preferred embodiment, this machine has been specifically designed to treat the fabric in rope form. For this purpose, the conduits of pneumatic transport of the fabric have a closed cross-section, preferably with a circular form.

[0010] As will be clarified in the following text, the individual basins of the machine can oscillate, one independent from the other, or—and preferably—can be integral with each other. The control of the transport of the fabric from one basin to the adjacent basin through the relative conduit of pneumatic transport can be dependent on the measurement of the quantity of buffer fabric accumulated in each basin. In particular, the accumulated fabric in each basin can be measured in correspondence with the two ends of the basin. The transport of the fabric within each individual conduit of pneumatic transport can be interrupted once all the fabric is gone in the basin from where the fabric is withdrawn by the relevant conduit, or when the end basin towards which the fabric is delivered has been filled. The movement can then begin again afterwards in the opposite direction by inverting the flow of air for transportation inside the conduit.

[0011] Further advantageous features and embodiments of the machine according to the invention are indicated in the attached dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention will be better understood by following the description and attached drawing, which shows a practical non-limiting example of the invention. The drawing shows:

[0013]FIG. 1 a perspective view of the machine according to the invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 a plan view of the machine

[0015]FIG. 3 a section taken from III-III of FIG. 2;

[0016]FIG. 4 a front view taken from IV-IV of FIG. 3; and

[0017]FIG. 5 and 6: sections similar to FIG. 3 of a second embodiment and in two different positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0018] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the machine comprises an inlet basin 1, where the fabric to treat is introduced, and an outlet basin 3, from where the treated fabric is gradually withdrawn. Between the inlet basin 1 and the outlet basin 3, there are five intermediate basins (in the example shown in the illustration) designated with 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13. Each basin 1 to 13 has an elongated shape, as can be seen in FIG. 3, with a slightly depressed central area and two lateral portions inclined in an upwards direction.

[0019] Between one end of the inlet basin 1 and the opposite end of the adjacent intermediate basin 5, there is a first conduit of pneumatic transport 15, divided into two portions, 15 a and 15 b. Similarly, conduits of pneumatic transport 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25 are positioned between each of the basins 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 3; each of these conduits has one end positioned above a basin and the opposite end positioned above the adjacent basin. Each of said conduits is divided into two respective portions, similar to conduit 15.

[0020] In reference to the illustration in FIG. 1, the two portions 15 a and 15 b making up the conduit of pneumatic transport 15 are formed by respective Venturi tubes, where pressurized transport air is introduced, alternating in opposite directions. A similar arrangement is envisaged for the remaining conduits of pneumatic transport 17, 19, 21, 23, and 25. The configuration of each conduit of pneumatic transport is clearly visible in FIG. 3, where the conduit of pneumatic transport 23 is illustrated, the other conduits being essentially identical. In the two portions 23 a and 23 b that make up the conduit of pneumatic transport 23, air is introduced by means of two tubes 27 and 29, connected to a delivery channel 30 of pressurized air. The connection between the tubes 27, 29, and channel 30 can be interrupted using means of interception 31 and 33, so that air can be introduced in the conduit of pneumatic transport 23 only via tube 27 or alternatively, only via tube 29. Depending on the tube from where air is introduced into the conduit of pneumatic transport 23, the direction of movement changes for the fabric inside the tube, which advances alternatively according to arrow f1 or arrow f2.

[0021] The same arrangement is found for each conduit of pneumatic transport 15, 17, 19, 21 and 25, each of which is associated with a pair of delivery tubes of pressurized air, equivalent to tubes 27 and 29, both connected to common channel 30. As can be seen in detail in FIGS. 1 and 2, the channel 30 has a transversal section that gradually declines from the inlet area towards the terminal end, in correspondence with the connection point of the tubes 27 and 29. This feature allows for an essentially constant flow of pressurized air in the individual conduits.

[0022] In front of the two ends of each conduit of pneumatic transport 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25, an impact wall is positioned, with a grid form, against which the fabric drawn pneumatically along the respective conduit of pneumatic transport is “flung”. The grids are designated with 35 and 37. Each grid 35 and 37 is associated with a respective reel 39 and 41, that facilitates the withdrawal of the fabric from the underlying basin and its introduction into the corresponding end of the respective conduit of pneumatic transport.

[0023] Each basin 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 is associated with means that enable oscillation thereof in a vertical plan. As can be seen in greater detail in the view in FIG. 3, the opposite ends of basin 13 are connected to a flexible element 43 entrained around pulleys 45 and 47, at least one of which is motorized. The rotation in the same directions of the pulleys 45 and 47 causes the movement of the flexible member 43 according to double arrow F and consequently the oscillation of basin 13 which can assume the position indicated by the line in FIG. 3 or, alternatively, the position shown by the broken line in the same figure. A similar layout of flexible members and pulleys is envisaged for each basin from 1 to 12, in order to obtain either simultaneous or independent oscillation of the various basins.

[0024] This oscillation enables an approach of one of the two ends of each basin to the corresponding end of the respective conduit of pneumatic transport 15 to 25. The angular position of each basin is determined by the direction according to which the fabric is moved along the respective conduit of pneumatic transport. More specifically, each basin 1 to 13 is brought to the angled position in which its end associated to the end of the conduit of pneumatic transport into which the fabric is introduced is in a lower position, that is, farther away from the mouth of the conduit itself; this means that the fabric which is discharged in the basin at the end thereof which is located in the higher position can more easily slide toward the lower end, from which it has to be picked up and introduced in the subsequent pneumatic conduit.

[0025] The operation of the machine which has been briefly described is as follows. The fabric to treat, made up of a continuous piece, is introduced into the basin 1 in the direction shown by the arrow A at a reduced feed speed, stepped if required, by means of appropriate feeding means, not shown. The fabric rests in this way on the bottom of basin 1. The latter is positioned in an angular position for which the end found below grid 35 is lowered in order to facilitate the fabric's sliding towards the mouth of conduit 15. The fabric is drawn towards the conduit of pneumatic transport 15 with a right to left motion (with reference to FIG. 2) to then be pushed against the grid 37 associated with basin 5, and left to fall into the left-hand end of this latter. From here, the fabric will be withdrawn by the right end of the conduit of pneumatic transport 17 and drawn along this conduit until reaching grid 37 associated with basin 7, to fall into this latter. The course of the fabric is similar, passing through the conduits of pneumatic transport 19, 21, 23 and 25 until it is dumped from conduit 25 against grid 37 associated with basin 3. From this basin, the fabric is gradually withdrawn in the direction shown by the arrow B at a speed substantially equal to the speed with which it is introduced into the basin 1, in the direction of arrow A. Vice versa, the speed that the fabric is drawn through the individual conduits of pneumatic transport 15 to 25 is advantageously much greater compared with the speed of introduction into basin 1 and of removal from basin 3.

[0026] An excess of fabric is accumulated in each basin 1 to 13, which enables a great difference between the speed of introduction in the basin 1 and removal from basin 3 on the one hand, and the speed of pneumatic transport in the conduits 15 to 25 on the other. The movement of the fabric in each conduit of pneumatic transport 15 to 25 is done until the accumulated fabric in the basin which feeds the conduit of pneumatic transport is reduced to the minimum quantity, which can be measured e.g. using a system of loading cells or similar device that identifies the weight of the textile material in the respective basin. When this happens, the flow of air is momentarily suspended in the respective pneumatic conduit, that is, the conduit that is temporarily withdrawing the fabric from the basin where the accumulation of fabric is about to run out.

[0027] The amount of material in each basin can be calculated also by means of oscillating elements properly hinged about an axis integral with the basins which can also control—by their oscillation—the inversion of the flow of air in the relative pneumatic conduit.

[0028] When the accumulation of fabric found in the end basins (1 or 3)-positioned upstream with respect to the direction of motion of the fabric in the conduits of pneumatic transport—is finished, the fabric transport motion is interrupted in all the conduits of pneumatic transport 15 to 25 and the position of the intercepting elements 31, 33 is commuted to reverse the pneumatic flow in the individual conduits of pneumatic transport 15 to 25. Furthermore, the basins 1 to 13 are made to oscillate simultaneously in order to modify the angular position, bringing their ends, previously distant compared with the conduits of pneumatic transport, in proximity to the respective mouths of the conduits themselves. Thereby, the process of drawing the fabric in opposite direction through the individual conduits of pneumatic transport begins. The cycle is repeated numerous times for each section of fabric, so that the fabric is subjected to a repeated mechanical action effected by drawing the fabric through the conduits and impacting it against the grids 35, 37.

[0029] It is also possible to envisage that the oscillating movement of the basins 1 to 13 and the control of the means of interception 31, 33 for reversing the flow of the pneumatic transport in the individual conduits 15 to 25 are controlled independently for each basin and for each conduit, so that the direction of movement of the fabric in each conduit of pneumatic transport 15 to 25 is determined independently and according to the accumulation of fabric in each individual basin.

[0030]FIG. 3 shows a portion of the fabric, designated T, that is withdrawn from an accumulation of fabric in basin 13 in order to be drawn through conduit 25, flung against grid 35 positioned above the basin 11 and left to fall in this latter, at the opposite end with respect to the end of the adjacent basin 13 from where the fabric has been withdrawn.

[0031] Also the reels 39 and 41, which can advantageously be motorized, can be controlled so that they are either enabled or disabled depending on the specific conditions of operation of the respective conduit of pneumatic transport.

[0032] The air that is introduced alternatively in one or the other portion of each conduit 15 to 25, can be appropriately conditioned in terms of temperature as well as moisture content, according to the type of result that is desired in the fabric.

[0033]FIGS. 5 and 6 show, in a section similar to FIG. 3, the machine according to a different embodiment and in two different operating positions. The numbers in these figures indicate identical or corresponding parts to those in the previous embodiment. The essential difference lies in the fact that in this case, the pneumatic conduits oscillate integral with the basins. The channel 30 can be equipped with an appropriate system of connection to a stationary blower mouth, which enables the oscillating movement of channel 30 with respect to the mouth itself. Alternatively, it is possible to envisage a different transmission in order to obtain the oscillation of the basins and the conduits around a horizontal axis corresponding to the axis of the connection between the channel 30 and the stationary blower mouth.

[0034] It is understood that the drawing shows only an example given as a practical demonstration of the invention, since the invention can vary in the forms and layouts without departing from the scope of the basic concept underlying the invention. The presence of reference numbers in the following claims, if any, has the purpose of facilitating their reading with reference to the description and the drawing and does not limit the scope of protection represented by the claims. 

1. A machine for the continuous treatment of fabric, including an inlet basin (1) for the fabric (T); an outlet basin (3) for the fabric: a treatment path arranged between said inlet basin and said outlet basin, along which the fabric is pneumatically transported alternatively from the inlet basin towards the outlet basin or vice versa, means being provided to reverse the direction of the movement of the fabric, wherein said treatment path includes at least two side-by-side conduits (15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25), at least one intermediate elongated basin (5, 7, 9, 11, 13) being arranged between said at least two side-by-side conduits for collecting the fabric, said basin extending between a first end of a first of said at least two side-by-side conduits and the opposite end of the adjacent conduit, the fabric exiting from the first end of said first conduit being accepted into said intermediate basin and being withdrawn therefrom and introduced into the opposite end of said second conduit, characterized in that said at least one intermediate basin is oscillating in a nearly vertical plane.
 2. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one intermediate basin has a bottom with a depressed central area and lateral sides inclined in an upwards direction, corresponding to which the respective ends of said conduits are arranged.
 3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said inlet basin (1) and said outlet basin (3) oscillate integral with said at least one intermediate basin (5, 7,9, 11, 13).
 4. A machine according one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inlet basin (1) and said outlet basin (3) have a bottom with a depressed central area and lateral sides inclined in an upwards direction.
 5. A machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said conduits have a cross-section in a shape that is adapted to working with fabric in rope form.
 6. A machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said conduits have an approximately circular cross-section.
 7. A machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each conduit includes two Venturi tubes positioned in opposite directions to perform the pneumatic transportation of the fabric in the two directions alternatively; motion reversing means being provided for activating alternatively one or the other of said Venturi tubes.
 8. A machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an impact wall (35, 37) is positioned in front of each end of said conduits, against which the fabric is flung during treatment.
 9. A machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that associated with each end of said conduits a member (39, 41) is provided for raising the fabric from the basin towards the respective conduit.
 10. A machine according to claim 9, characterized in that said raising member includes a motorized reel.
 11. A machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inlet basin, said outlet basin and said at least one intermediate basin are constituted by a partition of a common basin.
 12. A machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said inlet basin, said outlet basin and said at least one intermediate basin are separate from each other.
 13. A machine according to claim 12, characterized in that said at least one intermediate basin oscillates independently of the adjacent basins.
 14. A machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes measuring members to detect the quantity of fabric in each basin, associated with intercepting elements to close off the drawing air through the relative conduits and intercepting the transport of the fabric in the conduits according to the quantity of accumulated fabric detected.
 15. A machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the quantity of fabric is measured by the weight of the fabric in the basin.
 16. A machine according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that there are two of said measuring members, in order to measure the quantity of fabric accumulated at each of the two ends of the respective basin.
 17. A machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes two or more intermediate basins set side-by-side and a quantity of conduits equal to the number of intermediate basins, plus one.
 18. A machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said conduits are stationary, while the respective basins are oscillating.
 19. A machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said conduits oscillate integral with the respective basins. 